Control device



June 5, 17945. i E. J. DILLMAN 2,377,765

CONTROL DEVICE Filed Jan. 29, 1943 FIG-2 T5 0 ATTo EY Eate'nted June 5,1945 ilNiiED STATES Parser series cosmos nsvros Earnest J. Dillman,Detroit, Mich, assignor to Detroit Lubricator Company, Detroit, Mich, acorporation of Michigan Application January 2%, 1943, Serial No. 473,81?

Claims. (Cl. 200-139) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in control means and more particularly to anal-itomatically actuated device such as a room thermostat.

in object of the invention is to provide a con: trol device which isadjustable from one to another of two predetermined limits.

Another object is to provide a time controlled means for changing thesetting of the device.

Another object is to provide means for adjusting the predeterminedlimits at which the device is set.

.Rnother object is to provide such a control device in which thepredetermined limits may have overlapping relation.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combination ofparts to be more fully described hereinafter and the novelty of whichwill be particularly pointed out and distinctly" claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, to be taken as movement toward and from thelever member 3. Secured to the base portion i there is s. temperatureresponsive operating member I of bimetal which is movable in response totemperature change in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of thebase member I; Secured by'a resilient blade '8 mounted to the free endof the bimetal member l there is a control element 5 such as a switchcontact member. The mounting means 8 may be provided with a terminalclip ill-for a direct lead wire connection instead of through the bladel as hereafter described. Secured to a metal mounting bracket H fixed onthe base member i there is a control element such as a. switch contactmember cooperable with the contact member 9. --This member i2 is a partof this specification, there is fully and Y clearly illustrated. apreferred embodiment of the invention, in which drawing-'- Figure 1 is aview in front elevation of a control device having theinvention but withthe cover or closure memberremoved to show internal construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in front elevation and partly in section andhaving certain clocls mechanism removed to show underlying parts.

Fig. 3 is a detail view in section showing the cooperative relation ofcertain of the parts and taken on. the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. i is a detail View of the clock mechanism and associated parts buthaving the dial member removed to show underlying structure, and

Fig. 5 is a detail view in section on the line s -s of Fig. 4. Q

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, 31 designatesgenerally-a base or sup porting member of electric insulating material.

Projecting from the front face of the base member adjacent its lower endthere is a pivot pin 2 on which is rotatably mounted an adjustment lever3 which extends longitudinally of the'base member and in overlyingparallel relation thereto. The lower end portion of the member 3 whichreceives the pin lie of generally U-shaped form to provide a baseportion 4 extending normal to the base member I and longitudinally ofthe-lever member 3. This lower end portion also has a heat exchangemember 5 which cooperates with an electric resistance heater member 6adjustably mounted on the base member I for carried by a resilientadjustment blade l3 so.

that it is adjustable toward and from the contact 9 by an adjustmentscrew it. The contact member i2 is positioned between the poles of aU-shaped permanent magnet which is cooperable with an armature member i6carried by the free end of the operating member I. Ad-

justment of the contact supporting member i3 determines the air gapbetween the magnet l5 and the armature it when the contact members arein engagement and therefore the difierential of operation of the controldevice. The bracket ii is of metal and has a metal arm H which isconnected to a terminal post !8 secured to the rear face of the basemember l. Extending from the arm N there isa metal linkage l9 which iselectrically connected to one end of the resistance element (6. Aterminal post 20 secured to the rear face off the base member i iselectrically connected to the other end of the resistance member 5. Thelever member 3, preferably of metal, is electrically connectedbyconducting means 25 to a terminal post 22 secured to the rear face ofthe base member I. The terminals l8 and 22 are preferably utilized toconnect the switch contacm 9 and 12 in series with the load or device tobe controlled, the terminal 26 letting the resistance element 6 beconnected in parallel with the load.

' The upper end portion of the lever member 3 has an extension or amt23. which terminates at its upper end in a rebent or U-shaped portion 24through which there is adjustably threaded a. cam follower or stopmember 25 which extends parallel to the plane of the base member I andprojects it its opposite ends from the portion 24.

ment of the follower member for engagement therewith. The abutmentmember 26 is in the form of a cam member rotatable by a drive shaft 28journaled in the base member and extending therethrough to receive ahand adjusting wheel 29. Cooperable with indicia 36 on the wheel 29 toindicate the position of the cam member 26, there is a finger or pointer3| secured to the base member The follower member 25 is urged away fromthe cam member 26 by the wire spring 32 coiled about the leversupporting post 2 and having one end anchored to the base member I, asat 33, and having its other end 34 bearing against the lever baseportion 4.

Cooperable with the lever member 3 to hold the follower member 25 inengagement with the cam member 26 against the force of the spring 32there is a driven flexible resilient lever member 35, see Fig. 1,extending parallel to the base member and having an arm 36 extendingnormal to and toward the base member The arm 36 carries an insulatingmember extension 31 engageable with a flange 38 extending outwardrelative to the base member I and transverse to the lever arm 36. Thelever is journaled on a stub shaft or pivot pin 39 projecting from thefront face of a clock mechanism casing 40 and has an arcuate or curvedend portion 4| which terminates in an upstanding flange 42. The clockcasing 40 is mounted on a base plate 43 which is secured by screws 44 tosupporting posts 45 projecting from the base member and by a screw 46 toa bracket 41, also projecting from the base member The casing 40 is,thus rigidly secured to the base member and in overlying relation tothe lever member 3 and bimetal plate member 1. Cooperable with the leverflange 42 there is a rotatable arm or rod 48 pro ecting radially fromthe clock mechanism drive and winding shaft 49. The rod 46 is preferablyscrew-threaded at one end to serve as a set screw to lock a hand gripsupporting member 50 to the shaft 49 which projects from a gear wheel5|. A pinion 52 meshes with the wheel 5| and is fixed on the springshaft 53. Surrounding the shaft 53 there is the usual spiral clockdriving spring 54 having one end connected,

as at 55, to the shaft 53 and having its other end 55a, see Fig. 4,anchored to a post of the clock framework. Journaled on the shaft 53 isthe main driven gear 56 of the clock gear train having the usualescapement mechanism, not shown. This gear 56 is coupled to theshaft 53by a pawl 51 journaled on the gear and a ratchet wheel 58 held tightlyon the shaft 53 by a friction sleeve 59. Secured to a stubshaft 66projecting from the supporting member 50, there is a winding key or handgrip member 6| which is spaced from the member 50 to receivetherebetween an adjustable indicator finger 52 carried by a ring orannular member journaled on the shaft 60. The finger 62 is frictionallyheld to the member 50 for rotation therewith by a spring washer 63. Thefinger 62 cooperates with the indicia or markings on a dial plate 64which is mounted on the front face of the clock casing 40 by means ofsupporting legs 65 and 66, the leg 65 having ears or flanges to. receiveclamping screws 61 threaded into the casing" 46. A stop member 68 on thecasing 46 is positioned in the path of movement of the lever member 35by thev arm 48 so that under no conditions can the switch mechanism beunduly strained." The force of the clock 'spring .54 acting throughthelever members 35 and 3 overcomes the force of energizing theresistance member 6.

the spring 32 and holds the follower member 25 in engagement with themember 26.

The abutment member 21 is in the form of an adjustable lever which ispivoted intermediate its ends on a stub shaft or pivot pin 56 projectingfrom the front face of the base member The end portion of the leverabutment member 21 on the other side of its fulcrum from the member 25has a cam follower screw. member 14 cooperable with a helical cam member1| rotatably supported on a screw 12 projecting laterally outward froman upstanding or forwardly projecting flange 13 on a bracket member 14secured to the base member I. The power member 13 is resiliently urgedand held in engagement with the cam member 1| by a coil spring 15 coiledabout the post 66 and having one end anchored to the bracket 14, as at16, and having its other end secured as at 11 to the lever member 21 tourge it counterclockwise facing Fig. 2. The spring 15 has sufiicientstrength to hold the cam members 16, 1| in engagement against the forceof the spring 32. The cam member 1| has a hand adjustment wheel 16carrying a dial 19 with indicia to indicate the setting of the abutmentmember 21. A finger or pointer 66, see Fig. 1, cooperates with the dialplate 16 and is carried by the control device cover member of which aportion only is shown.

The operation of the control device is as follows. Assuming that thecontrol device is connected in an electric circuit to be controlled asabove noted, the temperature responsive bir'netal element is satisfied,that is, the desired temperature has been reached at which the contactelements 9 and i2 are to break circuit. Upon decrease of temperature towhich the element 1 is subjected, it will flex toward the left facingFig. 2 and move contact 9 toward the contact |2 and when the temperatureis reached for which the cam abutment member 26 is set by the wheel 26,the contact 9 will engage the contact i2, thereby energizing the deviceto be controlled and also The resistance member 6 will now act in theusual manner to compensate for the lag in heating of the element 1. Ifit is desired to change the normal or day setting of the thermostat orcontrol device, the wheel 23 is rotated to rotate the abutment member26,- clockwise rotation permitting the clock spring 54 to move thecontact 9 closer to the contact 2 so that contact 9 will be moved intoengagement with contact l2 at a lower ambient temperature. In the eventthe wheel 6 is rotated counterclockwise so that the cam member 26 movesthe follower member 25 into engagement with the abutment member 21, thenupon continued rotation of the wheel 26 the cam 26 will rotate theabutment member 21 clockwise facing Fig. 2 on its fulcrum 69 against theforce of spring 15 so that adjustment of the normal or day setting isnot interfered with by the abutment member 21. The night setting of thethermostat or control device is determined by the cam member 1|,clockwise rotation of abutment member 21. However, as soon as the key BIis released, the clock mechanism will be in operation and start movingthe arm 4t toward the lever flange 42, so that the time period duringwhich the thermostat remains at night setting will be variable,depending upon the extent of manual rotation of the key Bl. determinethe time at which thermostat will be moved to its day setting, andtherefore the length of time during which it is at night and lowersetting, the finger 62 is adjusted to the time when day setting is againdesired. The key 6i is then rotated clockwise carrying with it by itsfriction connection the finger 62. until the finger 62 reg isters on thedial with the actual time when the key i being rotated. It'will then beapparent that with the finger 52 set at say :30, the time to againestablish a day setting, that upon rotation of the finger E32 by the key@5 to the time when the setting is made, say 10 oclock, that the spring54 will have been wound up to an extent to position the arm 68, l /2hours operating time from the position at which follower member will beengaged with cam member 26. Referring to Fig. 5, the clockwise rotationof key 6| will rotate the spring shaft 53 counterclockwise, therebywinding up the spring, the gear wheel 56 being held stationary by theresistance of the gear train, as the ratchet wheel 58 is turned underits pawl 51. When the key ti is released, the pawl 51 will couple thegear wheel 56 to the shaft .53 and the gear train and escapementmechanism will govern the reverse rotation of the shaft 53 under theforce of the spring 54. The spring 32 will, of course, hold the lever 3in its night setting position with the follower member 25 against theabutment member 21. Any desired adjustmentof the night temperaturesetting may now be had by rotation of the wheel 18 although, of course,any attempt to move the night setting to a temperature above the daysetting determined by cam member 25 would not be possible and injury tothe parts would be prevented by the lost motion spring l5. When thespring 54 has rotated the arm 48 to the point where it has picked up thelever member 35 and moved the insulating member Winto engagement withthe lever member flange 38, any continned clock operation will move thefollowermember 25 away from the abutment member 21, assuming of coursethat the night setting is lower than the day setting. This initialmovement of the adjustment lever 3 away from the night settingabutmentmember 21 will, it will be apparent, occur at an increasinginterval of time before the day setting is established, de-

' pending upon the extent of increase in the difierence between the daysetting and the night In order to pretemperature from'the night to theday setting. It will also be noted that by employing a clock mechanismhaving the friction sleeve 5% that an overwinding of the spring 54 canbe corrected by counter-clockwise rotation of the key iii, the

sleeve 59 permitting slippage of the shaft 53 witln in or relative tothe ratchet wheel 58.

What is claimed and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In an automatically operable control device, a lever member foradjusting the setting or the device, spaced abutment members coopcrablewith said lever member to limit the movement of said lever member inopposite, directions, resilient means acting to hold said lever memberagainst one of said abutment members, time con trolled means operable toovercome said resilient means and to move said lever member intoengagement with the other of said abutment'memhers, means pivotallysupporting said one of said abutment members for adjustment and forover-- travel of said lever member, mean for adjusting said one of saidabutment members, and resilient means holding'said one of said abutmentmernbers in engagement with said adjusting means against the force ofsaid first-named resilient means. y

2. In an automatically operable control device, an adjustable levermember having an extension at one end, a bimetal element mounted on andsupported solely at the other end of said lever setting. By providing acontrol devic in which there is a time interval of gradual increasedthermostat settings between the night setting and the day setting, it ispossible for the heating ap paratus to raise the ambient temperature tothe day setting substantially coincident with the time when the daysetting is desired, whereas if the change from night to day setting weremade substantially instantaneously there would be a delay varying intime depending upon'the difference between night and day setting beforethe heating apparatus could bring the ambient temperature to the desiredday setting. This gradual contin,

uous increase to the higher temperature or day setting has the furtheradvantage in that the heating apparatus is not unduly burdened by aninstantaneous demand to increase the ambient member, spaced abutmentmembers cooperable with said lever member extension to limit themovement of said lever member in oppositedirections, resilient meansacting directly on said lever member other end and operable to hold saidlever member extension against one of said abutment members, timecontrolled means operable to overcome said resilient means and to movesaid lever member extension into engagement with the other of saidabutment members, and resilient means for transmitting the movement ofsaid time controlled means to said lever member so that said timecontrolled means can have continned movement upon engagement of levermember with said other of said abutment hers.

3. In an automatically operable control device, a lever member foradjusting the setting of the device, spaced abutment members cooperablewith said lever member to limit the movement of said lever member inopposite directlons,-re silient means having direct engagement with andacting to hold said lever memberaga-inst one of said abutment members, aflexible resilient lever member operable to move said lever ber againstthe force of said resilient means and intoengagement' with the other ofsaid abutment members, and time controlled means operable upon a lapseof time to engage and to move said second-named lever member into movingengage ment with said first-named lever member, said resilient levermember flexing upon engagement of said first-named lever member withsaid other of said abutment members so that said time corn trolled meanscan have continued movement.

4. In an automatically operable control device, alever member foradjusting the setting of the device, spaced abutment members cooperablewith said lever member to limit the movement of said lever. member inopposite directions, resilient means acting directly on and to hold saidlever rotated by said motor and having a radial arm,

' spring driven clock mechanism in said said lever member.

5. In a room thermostat having a day adjustment and a night adjustment,a day setting cam member, a contact member adjusting lever engageablewith said cam member, clock mechanism operable to move and to hold saidlever in engagement with said cam member, a night setting cam member, apivoted abutment member normally continually in engagement with andadjustable by said night cam member resilient means directly engagingsaid lever and operable upon release of said lever from said clockmechanism to move said lever away from said cam member and intoengagement with said pivoted abutment member, and a spring holding saidabutment member against said night cam member and against movement bysaid lever under the force of said resilient means.

6. A room thermostat comprising a base member, an adjustment leverpivoted adjacent one end to said base member, a contact actuatingbimetal member extending in overlying relation to and longitudinally ofsaid lever and secured to said lever adjacent said one end, a daysetting cam member pivoted on said base member, an adjustable followermember extending transverse to said lever at its free end and having oneend engageable with said cam member, motor driven means acting throughsaid lever to hold said follower member against said cam member, meansto release said motor driven means from holding relation with saidfollower member, a spring operable to move said lever away from said cammember upon release of said motor driven means, an abutment memberpivoted on said base member and engag'eable by the other end of saidfollower member to limit movement of said lever by said spring, a nightsetting cam member adjustably carried by said base member and engageablewith said abutment member on the opposite side of its fulcrum from theengagement of said abutment member with said follower member, and

. a spring holding said abutment member in engagement with said nightsetting cam member against the force of said first-named spring.

7. A room thermostat comprising a base member, an adjustment leverpivoted adjacent one end to said base member, a contact actuatingbimetal member extending in overlying relation to and longitudinally ofsaid lever and secured to said lever adjacent said one end, a daysetting cam member pivoted on said base member, an adjustable followermember extending transverse to said lever at its free end and having oneend engageable with said cam member, a casing mounted on said basemember in overlying relation to said bimetal member, a flexibleresilient lever member pivoted on the front face of said casing andhaving an arm extending toward said base member for engagement with saidlever, casing, an arm driven by said mechanism and cooper-able with saidlever member to hold said lever against aid day cam member, means towind said mechanism and simultaneously move said driven arm away fromsaid lever member, a spring operable to move said lever away from saidday cam member upon operation of said last-named means, an abutmentmember pivoted on said base member and engageable by the other end ofsaid follower member to limit movement of said lever by said spring, a.night setting cam member adjustably carried by said base member andengageable with said abutment member on the opposite side of its fulcrumfrom the engagement oi said abutment member with said i'ollower member,and a spring holding said abutment member in engagement with said nightsetting cam member against the force of said first-named spring.

8. A room thermostat comprising a base member, an adjustment leverpivoted adjacent one end to said base member, a contact actuatingbimetal member extending longitudinally of and secured to said leveradjacent said one end, a day setting cam member pivoted on said basemember, said lever having an extension engageable with said cam member,motor driven means acting through said lever to hold said extensionagainst said cam member, means to release said motor means from holdingrelation with said lever, an abutment member positioned on the oppositeside of said extension from said cam member and pivoted on said basemember, a spring acting directly on said lever and operable upon releaseof said motor means to move said extension into engagement with saidabutment member, a night setting cam member pivoted on said base memberand engageable with and operable to position said abutment member, and aspring holding said abutment member in engagement with said nightsetting cam member against the force of said first-named spring.

9. A room thermostat comprising a base member, an adjustment leverpivoted adjacent one end to said base member, a contact actuatingbimetal member extending longitudinally of and secured to said leveradjacent said one end, a day setting cam member pivoted on said basemember, said lever having an extension engageable with said cam member,a night setting cam means positioned on the opposite side of saidextension from said cam member and engageable by said extension, motormeans mounted on said base member in overlying relation to said lever, alever mounted on said motor means and having an arm extending towardsaid base member for engagement with said first-named lever, saidsecondnamed lever being operable by.said motor means to engage saidfirst-named lever to hold said extension in engagement with said day cammember, means to release said motor means from holding relation to saidextension, and a spring on said first-named lever to move said extensioninto engagement with said night setting cam means upon release of saidmotor means.

10. A room thermostat comprising. a base member, an adjustment leverpivoted on said base member, a contact actuating bimetal memberadjustable by said lever, a day setting cam means on said base member,said lever having an extension engageable with said cam means, a nightsetting cam means on said base member, said extensio being disposedbetween said day and said night cam means and being movable intoengagement with said night setting cam means,

ing and said base member, a lever member havacting ixznding toward saidbase member for engagement with said lever, motor mechanism in saidcasing and having a shaft extending out of said casing, a pivot pinprojecting from the front face of said casing laterally of said shaftand extending into said bearing aperture, an arm driven by said shaftand cooperable with said lever member to hold said lever extensionagainst said day setting cam means, means to release said shaft drivenarm from holding relation to saidiever member, and a spring operable onsaid lever to move said lever extension against said night setting cammeans upon release of said shaft driven arm.-

EARNEST J. DILLMAN.

